Alex announced the news that Jude, the son of Dugdale and his partner Nicola, was born with complications and sadly lost his fight for life on the eve of last weekend's trip to Wembley to play Southend in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy final.

Following Sunday's 2-0 triumph at the national stadium, Dugdale's team-mates revealed T-shirts paying tribute to the family and manager Steve Davis is hopeful the 25-year-old Liverpudlian can be back among his squad sooner rather than later.

"It has been a really emotional time and we all wanted Duggy and Nicola know that they were in our thoughts at Wembley," he told Crewe's official website. "Duggy had helped us reach the final and he deserved to be there.

"Hopefully, he will come back some time next week and get back involved with the group. He knows what the club think about him and we will help him as much as we can.

"It is a close-knit family here and Duggy may need that release of getting back into it. They have had to sort a few things out at the hospital but we hope to have him back soon."

Railwaymen full-back Matt Tootle paid a heartfelt tribute to Dugdale in the aftermath of Wembley glory.

"I've been close to him for about three years now and for something like that to happen to someone so close to you, it's emotional," he said. "You've got to try your best to try and get the word out and get the fans understanding without actually giving too much away of what he's going through.

"I'm over the moon to give a little bit back. This isn't going to get him back what he's wanted for a good long while but it will give him the belief, with everyone giving him that support, to hopefully come back and be stronger.

"The game was overshadowed by what life is and the things that can happen. I hope it gives him a little bit... I don't know what to say - a little bit of a push on because I know how low he is at the moment."

Readers' Comments

till I suppose it still gives him at least another year in the job. By the time it comes around , he can always make up another excuse. First it was 3 months , then a year .....Next year ? Whats his excuse with Van Persie ?